Sonai view from Tindahanata sanctuary.
The death in Okinawa takes space, a lonely person can occupy a grave with many meters squares. Some of them have the shape of a turtle shell.
Near Sonai the biggest village in Yonaguni (500 inhabitants; the whole island doesn´t reach 2.000 and it has 28,8 sq. km.) there is a huge graveyard in front of the sea, tombs are spread all around, near to the cliff. Name of the place is Urano Tombs.
Green on my walk
White silence
Blues sea and sky
Death is important in Okinawa, Urano represents.
But life is also, in fact longevity in Okinawa is top of the world, here is not so strange to be in nineties or go over hundred years old.
"Chomeiso" means "long life grass" is a plant who grows in Yonaguni free of agrochemicals.
Since 2008 Shiseido has increased its recognition and his health care division commercializes two products.
A drink that blended "chomeiso" with fruit juice and tablets made from granules.
Another firms sell it just to prepare infusions. I still have it, expecting enlarge a few months my life. Let´s see.
In Sonai there is still some beautiful old house although most of them made with modern materials evidence the inevitable impact of the erosive sea winds.
City Hall of Sonai.
House detail.
Post Office.
Sonai little jinja.
Altar.
Sonai port at night.
Sonai bar, restaurant, club, disco at night ...
Sonai little river.
With three Yonaguni farmers.
The Sonai Bar day time.
Okinawa weaving commonly is called "jofu".
In Yonaguni tradition of weaving and dyeing with plants lasts more than 500 years. Singular name for that in Yonaguni is : "Hanaon"
Awamori factory.
Yonaguni is the only place where hanazake, a variety of awamori (60 percent alcohol), is produce.
Teaching how to sing and play with shansin the traditional Yonaguni music.
Thanks to Kotoe san, best cakes and coffee in Sonai.
NEXT : 9.2 Yonaguni / Atlas moth Museum
Although my place was in Sonai I arrived from Ishigaki to Kubura after almost five hours ferry boat. I was lying all the time due to the considerable waves that day. The East China Sea is not allways so peacefull.
